Merciless

'She snatched her twin daggers back as he doubled over, gasping for breath, and plunged the blades deep into his back. Hot, sticky blood gushed over her hands.'

"Pointy-eared bitch," he groaned as he staggered, then fell to his knees.

"Nice to make you acquaintance," Mercy hissed as he died.

What's up Readers?! Now this review is extra special to me, it is one of my first ARC reviews and this book was written by an author whose writing I have come to love! Jacqueline Pawl! You are probably confused on why this book's review came after the reviews for book one and two. Funny story, actually. I am a procrastinator when it comes to dealing with WIX. So... I delayed the shit out of my website. Funny, right? As of today, January 8th, my website is complete and I get to post all of the reviews that I put on goodreads here!! I just forgot to put the books in order and don't want to fuck with WIX and accidentally delete or mess up anything on my blog. So, when you read the reviews of 'A Born Assassin' ignore that the review dates may be a bit out of order. But only by a smidge. ;)

Welp, Let's dive into Merciless!!

Thank you Jacqueline for this amazing opportunity!

Goodreads' Blurb

They taught her to kill. She'll teach them to regret it.

After being taken by the illustrious Assassins' Guild when she was one week old, Mercy has endured seventeen years of grueling training in the art of killing. She is covered in more scars than she can count—gifts from her cruel tutors and the human apprentices who do not tolerate being bested by an elf—and she's more than ready to prove her worth to the head of the Guild.

In the capital city of Sandori, elf-human violence runs rampant and a king mad with grief rules with an iron fist. All that stands between Mercy and the completion of her contract is the cold, brooding Prince Tamriel. If she succeeds in killing him before the cutthroat courtiers discover her true identity, she'll earn her place as the greatest Assassin the Guild has ever trained.

If not, it'll be more than her pride on the chopping block.

Book Review

Jacqueline's writing style surprised me and I have to say it may be my favorite thing about Merciless. She slyly wrote Mercy perspective and words differently. Now I know I confused some of you so just listen. Usually when you have a character that is morally grey or full of grudge, the author describes the way she sees people and the world through a red haze. But for Mercy, Jackie was able to convey the lightness of her perspective while keeping Mercy's actions and words oozing with contempt. The controversies between the two enlightened me and gave me a sneak peek into Mercy that I wasn't able to completely see until the end. Great Job, Jacqueline!!!

Loved the world and their wars. Although I do wish Jackie would have dived in a bit deeper into the enemies within the castle. The idea of an assassin that is hated by both parties is enticing. It was really fun to see if she would blow her cover or if Tam would figure it out. I wanted more of a backstory between Callum and mercy but I guess you would have to read on or read the novella to read that portion of their story. Overall the world was nicely created, the plot suspenseful, and kept me on the edge of my seat when wondering who was a friend and who was a foe.

Honey, let me tell you if you are looking for some action, some steam, this is not the book for you! It is completely clean except for a kiss scene at the ending but that romance ends in a flash. I do believe that the romance will pick up in the following books but you will have to play the waiting game.

You know I love Mercy in all of her badassry (wished there was a little more fighting from her). Tamriel is a true goody prince, with the bookworm trait and everything. Although he is brave and has that arrogant factor sometimes. The fellow assassins were exactly what they needed to be to make Mercy but on a personal note, I don't like Faye. I understand her anger for the ***** but really?!?! Did she have to be that like that, backstabber!

The ending bested the beginning of the book. Seeing people choose sides and begin their journey to **********. Believe me when I say after this ending smut or not you're gonna want to see how Tam and Mercy end. I also can't wait to see how Mercy is in the wild, unfiltered, no disguise.

Detour: What if Mercy is actually somehow related to the queen of Feyndara?